UK Engage Sets Its Stall Out with Kirkgate Market.

The fastest-growing electoral provider in the UK teams up with the largest indoor market in Europe to deliver historic election.

Kirkgate Market, run by Leeds City Council, is the largest indoor market in Europe. Birthplace to the prestigious brand of Marks & Spencer, the historic market is home to 800 businesses. From fledgling stalls to century-old, family-run businesses, Kirkgate Market provides the community with an abundance of goods from one of the city’s most treasured landmarks.

2013 saw a decision by the council’s executive board to form a separate management board to advise the council on the day-to-day operation of Kirkgate Market. The new board will comprise market traders along with experts in related fields, for example commercial retail, and councillors. UK Engage was appointed by the council to run the election, which will take place from 23 July – 11 August 2014, due to its experience in managing all types of non-statutory elections, AGMs and Test of Opinion.

UK Engage Services Director, Steve Power, said of the election “The election is being run to establish the members of the Board that will have responsibility for the future management arrangements of Kirkgate Indoor and Outdoor Markets for the next three years. UK Engage is extremely pleased to work with Kirkgate Market to run the election, we will act as Scrutineer and Returning Officer and deliver the final result.”

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and economy, said “The new board will play an instrumental part in helping to steer the future of the market. It’s vital that traders are represented on the new board so I’d urge traders to nominate and get behind their preferred candidate when voting opens.”

UK Engage is providing full electoral support to the market and is hoping for an excellent response to the nomination process from the market traders and tenants, who are passionate about the current conditions of the landmark and its future. The nomination process runs from 23 June 2014 to 11 July 2014. UK Engage and Kirkgate Market are urging all traders and tenants to put themselves forward for nomination, there are two seats available for indoor tenants and one seat for outdoor traders.